Jammed steering lock

Usually the steering lock can be released by gently turning the wheel from side to side but occasionally the lock will jam completely. A common cause is that the load on the steering prevents enough movement to free the lock.

There are two possible solutions.

Move the car about a metre by pushing or letting it roll (if you are on a hill beware: the brakes may need to be pressed much harder than usual with the engine switched off).

or:

Jack up the front of the car lifting both wheels off the ground.

One or other of the methods above will remove the load on the steering and allow enough movement for the lock to be released normally.

If these fixes do not work you need a mechanic!